Tell me about the pain?

I am waiting for insurance approval. But would like to hear about how much it is or is not going to hurt. R Y w/ Dr. Fullum. Is it going to hurt to even swallow water? I guess I am starting to worry that it will hurt to much. Vicky

Vicky, I'm not going to tell you it didn't hurt HOWEVER while in the hospital they give you pain meds via IV and it makes a HUGE difference and makes it bearable. The more you move, the easier it gets. I had open RNY and didn't even take as much as a Tylenol since the 3rd day after surgery. I faithfully wore my surgical binder which help support the incision and ease any pain that I might of had. The only time I have had pain is if I have over eaten or something got stuck. It passes. Is the pain worth it, you bet.... I have my health back. I can do things I haven't been able to do in years. I feel good both physically and about myself. Don't focus on the pain. Focus on what you will gain by losing weight and regaining your health. Mary

It hurts but only for about 3 weeks. The pain is more than bearable. I came home and only took liquid childrens tylenol. At times I did need something stronger but I'm the kinda girl that will grin and bear it. I would do it all over in a heart beat. Good luck. Joanne

I had lap RNY. Was only in the hospital for 48 hours and I took some pain meds there, but nothing after I came home. The binder helped alot but once the drain was out (1 week), I didn't even really need that anymore. The only discomfort I've had is if I eat too fast and a couple of times when I took too large a bite, but it's temporary. It's nothing to be afraid of; I wish I'd done it a long, long time ago, but of course, the surgery itself has come a long way so maybe I'm glad I waited. Julie

Vicky - I had Lap RNY and was in the hospital for a total of 4 days. I went into the surgery a little ****y, because I had a successful c-section in November 2001, which I thought was a walk in the park. When I look back now, some 6 months later, there was pain, and at times, it was overwhelming. All of my pain was centered over my leftmost incision, so below my ribcage and above my bellybutton. It did not hurt to breathe or drink or swallow ice in the hospital. I was on a morphine pump, which helped but did not totally erase the pain. It hurt to cough or move or laugh, like you would expect with any abdominal surgery. When I got home, it hurt to sit up straight, I could only sleep on my back. I could not twist or bend over. At home, I even had to get my pain pill prescription filled once again, because I think I was doing too much. All in all, I had some pain for about 3 weeks. I would do it all again, in a second!!! Good luck. Denise